Kogi govt/Ebira monarch crisis deepens

• Published date: 10 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Prominent indigenes of Ebiraland in Kogi State have waded into the crisis between Kogi State Government and Ebira monarch, Ohinoyi Ado Ibrahim.

They flayed the eminent traditional ruler for allegedly disrespecting the offices of President Muhammadu Buhari and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

Noting that monarchs should respect constituted authority, the indigenes also promised to ensure reconciliation between the governor and monarch.

There was an allegation that the great monarch had snubbed Buhari and Bello when the president visited Kogi on December 29 last year to commission some landmark projects executed by the administration in the state.

The indigenes alleged that Dr Ibrahim had taken sides in politics, instead of being neutral and playing father to all as a traditional ruler.

But, other indigenes also absolved the traditional ruler, saying that the allegation was not true.

Concerned indigenes are trying to broker peace between the government and the Ebira Palace, it was learnt.

A statement titled: 'Ohinoyi's Query Is Perfectly In Order,'signed by Isa Ozi Salami, Ohiotenyete of Ebiraland and President, Nigeria Institute for Industrial Security; and HRH Salihu Abdullahi, Ajimasi Idu Eyire Uhuapa Ebiya and Secretary, Ebira Peoples Human Rights Defence, Okene, said 'there has been no regime in Kogi State that has not queried Alhaji Ado'.

They urged the monarch to uphold the prestige of exalted throne, like his forebears who had conducted themselves with grace, honour and dignity.

They called on the administration in the state to implement the court judgement granting Uhuodo community autonomy and entitling them to a separate Ohi stool in Okehi Local Government, while urging the government to make eligibility to the Ohinoyi stool exclusive to Ohis only.

They specifically described the traditional ruler's action against President Buhari and Bello as 'untenably reprehensible, to say the least.'

The indigenes added:'Should the Ohinoyi refuse to answer the official query issued to him within the stipulated timeframe, we call on the state government not to hesitate to do the needful promptly, following due process. Heavens will not fall.

'If nothing is done to redress this situation, it means Alh Ado Ibrahim is above everybody, including the government...